Trump To Withdraw US From UNESCO, Other Countries React With Worries For Future Of UN Bodies

The United States will withdraw from United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the end of the year, accusing the body of "anti-Israel bias". Until December 2018, US will remain a full member.

Heather Nauert, US state department spokesperson, said on Thursday the US would establish an "observer mission" to replace its representation at the Paris-based agency.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US decision as "brave and moral", a statement said. UNESCO is known for designating world heritage sites such as Syria's Palmyra and the US Grand Canyon.

Netanyahu tweeted he had instructed his foreign ministry to "prepare Israel's withdrawal... in parallel with the United States".

Reuters

"The most immediate impact is that the US will halt the arrears it has run up since it stopped funding the organization in 2011 to protest UNESCO’s admission of Palestine as a full member. By the end of this calendar year, the unpaid U.S. bill will amount to $550 million. With no sign that U.S. concerns would be addressed, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to pull out after Dec. 31, 2018, when the unpaid balance will top $600 million", reports The Washington Post.

With Trump withdrawing from Paris, TPP, UNESCO and threats to KORUS, NAFTA, and Iran Deal why would any country trust US to keep agreements